P4 – Explain two theories of ageing
In this assignment, I will explain two theories of ageing. I will discuss the social disengagement theory and the
continuity theory.
Social disengagement theory
The frst theory I will be explaining is the social disengagement theory. The defnition of engagement is to be
included with others or in actiiities. .n the other hand, the defnition of disengagement is to be extracted from
others or from actiiities. The disengagement theory was suggested by Cumming and Henry in 1961, it stated that as
we get older we naturally remoie ourselies from social interaction and actiiities. Cumming belieied that older
people socialise less, become more indiiidual and less worried about what others think of them. He also stated that
"it was appropriate and healthy for older people to withdraw from others" and "disengagement was a natural part of
ageing". Furthermore, this theory was seen as ialid by many others in the past. For example, Bromley belieied that
"although some indiiiduals fght the process all the way, disengagement of some sort is bound to come, simply
because old people haie neither the physical nor the mental resources they had when they were young". The issues
that limit social interaction are ill health which may cause poor mobility or hearing and sight problems, geographical
mobility because older people tend to be away from their friends and family, retirement which may cause less
contact with colleagues, ill health of friends and relatiies which can mean that they won't be able to communicate
with them, and traiel and technology because many older people do not haie access to a car, the internet or a
mobile phone. It can also be argued that the theory of disengagement fts with the "springboard" iiew of life, this
essentially means that withdrawing from others is a natural response to biological decline. Howeier, there is not
much ierifcation that this is the case for eieryone. The social disengagement theory has been criticised, iimbardo
belieied that older people tend to socialise with family and close friends rather than making new friends which
doesn't necessarily make them socially disengaged. Many people do not agree with the social disengagement theory
but we haie to keep in mind that when Cummings and Henry came up with this theory, older people had no internet
or mobile phones so they had less opportunities to socialise.
Continuity theory
The second theory I will be explaining is the continuity theory. This theory was suggested by Atchley and it focuses
on the signifcance of older people continuing to be the person they once were. This could mean continuing on with
their interests, behaiiours, opinions, beliefs, preferences, lifestyle and social contacts. The continuity theory states
that older people implement this lifestyle by looking at past experiences and the continuation of who we once were
helps us build a sense of self-esteem and self-concept, it also brings back memories which can help us tell our life
story. This theory proposes the idea that each indiiidual has diferent needs when it comes to actiiity. For example,
some may want to become less iniolied in social and physical actiiities because they belieie that this refects the
person that they once were. Howeier, some may feel the need to be more iniolied in social and physical actiiities
to feel like life is worth liiing.
In this assignment, I will explain two theories of ageing. I will discuss the social disengagement theory and the
continuity theory.
Social disengagement theory
The frst theory I will be explaining is the social disengagement theory. The defnition of engagement is to be
included with others or in actiiities. .n the other hand, the defnition of disengagement is to be extracted from
others or from actiiities. The disengagement theory was suggested by Cumming and Henry in 1961, it stated that as
we get older we naturally remoie ourselies from social interaction and actiiities. Cumming belieied that older
people socialise less, become more indiiidual and less worried about what others think of them. He also stated that
"it was appropriate and healthy for older people to withdraw from others" and "disengagement was a natural part of
ageing". Furthermore, this theory was seen as ialid by many others in the past. For example, Bromley belieied that
"although some indiiiduals fght the process all the way, disengagement of some sort is bound to come, simply
because old people haie neither the physical nor the mental resources they had when they were young". The issues
that limit social interaction are ill health which may cause poor mobility or hearing and sight problems, geographical
mobility because older people tend to be away from their friends and family, retirement which may cause less
contact with colleagues, ill health of friends and relatiies which can mean that they won't be able to communicate
with them, and traiel and technology because many older people do not haie access to a car, the internet or a
mobile phone. It can also be argued that the theory of disengagement fts with the "springboard" iiew of life, this
essentially means that withdrawing from others is a natural response to biological decline. Howeier, there is not
much ierifcation that this is the case for eieryone. The social disengagement theory has been criticised, iimbardo
belieied that older people tend to socialise with family and close friends rather than making new friends which
doesn't necessarily make them socially disengaged. Many people do not agree with the social disengagement theory
but we haie to keep in mind that when Cummings and Henry came up with this theory, older people had no internet
or mobile phones so they had less opportunities to socialise.
Continuity theory
The second theory I will be explaining is the continuity theory. This theory was suggested by Atchley and it focuses
on the signifcance of older people continuing to be the person they once were. This could mean continuing on with
their interests, behaiiours, opinions, beliefs, preferences, lifestyle and social contacts. The continuity theory states
that older people implement this lifestyle by looking at past experiences and the continuation of who we once were
helps us build a sense of self-esteem and self-concept, it also brings back memories which can help us tell our life
story. This theory proposes the idea that each indiiidual has diferent needs when it comes to actiiity. For example,
some may want to become less iniolied in social and physical actiiities because they belieie that this refects the
person that they once were. Howeier, some may feel the need to be more iniolied in social and physical actiiities
to feel like life is worth liiing.
